Itchy, dry skin that cracks or thickens and keeps returning in the creases of elbows and knees may be atopic eczema. The NHS says it usually starts in babies or young children and tends to improve with age, and that there’s no cure but treatment can manage symptoms. The core is emollients at least twice a day, kept up even when skin improves, and washing with an emollient instead of soap. It isn’t contagious.
1. Emollients at least twice a day, even when skin looks better.
2. Don’t scratch — gently rub with a finger; short nails; keep cool.
3. Blisters, weeping, pus, heat, sudden spreading or a fever: urgent appointment — it may be infection or eczema herpeticum.
Symptoms — NHS
The NHS describes itchy skin that may be dry, cracked, crusty, scaly or thickened, with patches that look red, white, purple or grey, or lighter or darker than the skin around them, depending on skin tone; it may blister or bleed. Common places are elbows, knees and hands, and the face in babies and toddlers. Flare-ups alternate with better spells.
Causes and triggers — NHS
The cause is often unknown, but risk is higher if a parent has atopic eczema or you or a close relative have asthma or hay fever. Triggers include soap, detergent, pets, some fabrics, pollen, house dust mites, certain foods, heat or temperature changes, skin infections, stress and hormonal changes.
Things to do and avoid — NHS
| Type | What the NHS says | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Do | Avoid known triggers | — |
| Do | Emollients at least twice a day, even when better | — |
| Do | Wash with an emollient instead of soap | — |
| Do | Keep cool — heat can worsen itching | — |
| Do | Short nails; anti-scratch mittens for babies | — |
| Don’t | Scratch — gently rub with a finger instead | — |
| Don’t | Share emollients or scoop with fingers — use a spoon or pump | — |
| Don’t | Aqueous cream — can irritate | — |
| Don’t | Change your diet without medical advice (including when breastfeeding) | — |
| Care | Keep away from smoking and flames — emollients make fabric, dressings and bedding catch fire more easily | They don’t burn on the skin |
Treatment and getting help — NHS
| If | Where | Worth noting (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Small areas of dry, slightly itchy eczema | Pharmacist | — |
| Symptoms, or treatment not helping | GP | Emollients and steroid creams; dermatology referral |
| Blistered, crusty, weeping or pus-filled | Urgent appointment or 111 | May be infection or eczema herpeticum |
| Painful, swollen or hot | Urgent appointment or 111 | — |
| Suddenly worse or spreading | Urgent appointment or 111 | — |
| High temperature or generally unwell | Urgent appointment or 111 | Antibiotics may be needed |
The main treatments the NHS lists are emollients and topical corticosteroids, with special dressings or medicines depending on severity. How much steroid to apply is on separate NHS pages we didn’t read this time. If eczema affects mental health, a referral to a mental health specialist may be offered.
Itching in general is in itchy skin; raised, sudden rashes in hives.
Checklist
- ☐ Emollients twice a day or more, even when better
- ☐ Emollient wash instead of soap; no aqueous cream
- ☐ Don’t scratch; short nails; keep cool
- ☐ Spoon or pump, don’t share, keep away from flames
- ☐ Blisters, weeping, pus, heat, fast spreading or fever: urgent
Questions that remain
Should I cut out certain foods?
The NHS lists some foods as possible triggers but says don’t change your diet unless a doctor advises it, including when breastfeeding.
Is it catching?
The NHS says atopic eczema isn’t contagious.
Sources
- NHS — Atopic eczema — source (page shows: reviewed 6 September 2024, next review 6 September 2027; checked 19 October 2026). Symptoms, causes and triggers, dos and don’ts, emollient fire warning, pharmacist, GP and urgent criteria, main treatments.
- Not read. The separate NHS pages on emollients and topical steroids (amounts); Korean eczema guidance.
- What we added. The “worth noting” column and the Korean care gloss.
Where to check further
- A dermatologist — if treatment isn’t helping.
Written on 19 October 2026. The content is from the NHS; the glosses are ours.
